Bret Anderson

Bret Anderson began his career teaching art for 10 years at the junior high and elementary school levels. During that time, he continually looked for ways to expand his leadership skills and experience--serving in coaching and supervision positions, as well as creating a weight-training program for at-risk youth. He moved to an assistant principal position at Indian Hill Elementary for a year, and then became the school’s principal, where he served for another nine years. While there, Anderson became active in creating a supportive community through his involvement in many neighborhood and city-wide groups, including: Strengthening Neighborhoods and Communities, Project Impact, Weed and Seed, Indian Hill Neighborhood Association and Bright Futures (two groups and two task forces). He currently serves as president of the Omaha School Administrators Association (OSAA); as a board member of Girls Inc., the Student Assignment Plan Advisory Committee, and the EXCELS Committee (focused on school improvement); as well as a resource mentor for the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) in the area of urban education.

Anderson has received UNO’s Outstanding Service Award (with wife Ingra), the Lorraine Giles Award for School Safety from the Safety and Health Council, and Indian Hill had the honor of being one of five safe school models through the Nebraska State Improvement Grant during his time there. Anderson has always had an interest in helping students and teachers be the best they can be, and he studies leadership and technology trends on a regular basis to aid in this pursuit. He is involved in many professional organizations that reinforce effective instructional leadership. He understands the key role community relationships play in the success of any educational venture, and he strives to build collaborations with a wide range of partners to help facilitate the highest student achievement possible. Anderson holds a master’s and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.